Mama’s on her way home from BlogPaws West, a gathering of people who blog about pets, so we’ll make our usual weekly advice post tomorrow. But we did want to convey a message from Mama about some of the things she learned.
Once again, she was amazed at the nationwide — and actually, worldwide — community of people who share their love of animals through their blogs, and through their actions in the “real world.”
While she was there, she also found her passion and her particular niche in the world of cat lovers. She has decided (with our approval, of course) that she could make a huge difference in the lives of cats by educating the community at large about the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and advocating for FIV-positive cats.
Why did she choose this particular passion? Well, the first cat that owned her was a gorgeous black tomcat named Castor (of the Gemini twins, Castor and Pollux). In 1981, she adopted Castor from her local animal shelter, and he filled her teenage years with love and kindness.
But when he turned 10, he developed an infection in his mouth. Her mother took Castor to the vet, and he got antibiotics. The antibiotics relieved his infection and he began feeling better and eating more. But once the antibiotics were discontinued, he got sick again. This went on several times until the vet suggested that he get a blood test.
There was a recently discovered virus, the vet explained, that suppressed cats’ immune systems, leaving them vulnerable to any number of infections. A blood test would determine whether Castor had the disease.
When the results of the blood test came back, the vet said Castor had this infection, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
Because of the lack of knowledge about FIV at that time, there was little a vet could recommend to help Castor stay healthy, except for antibiotics to treat any infections.
Mama’s family went this course for a while, until finally poor Castor became so sick that he couldn’t recover and have a good quality of life. Mama came home from college in 1991 and saw how deeply Castor was suffering. He didn’t move from his place on the couch, even to go to the litterbox, and when Mama gave him a comforting pet, he growled at her.
With tears in her eyes, Mama knew it was time. She couldn’t stand to see him suffer anymore, so with her mother’s blessing, she called the vet and arranged for Castor’s final appointment.
She took him to that appointment and stayed with him in the last minutes of his life. She tried to stay cool, but she broke out in tears as soon as the vet began preparing the syringe with the euthanasia solution. With her tears dripping on Castor’s fur, she cried, “I love you, Castor,” as he drew his last breaths.
That was the first time she’d ever made the decision to put an animal to sleep, and the first time she’d ever watched an animal die.
She didn’t know it at the time, as she sat in the car and cried for half an hour, but 20 years later that moment would come back to her in a moment of inspiration at the BlogPaws West conference.
With Castor’s memory strong in her mind, and the memory of several other FIV-positive cats who had touched her life since then, she committed herself to educating about FIV. Her five-year-old commitment to adopt special-needs cats focused into a commitment to adopt FIV-positive cats and give them a loving forever home where they could receive the special care they needed to have the best and longest lives they could.
She knows that means there will be more moments like that sad afternoon at the vet’s office. She knows it means closer monitoring, special care, and most likely more financial outlay to maintain these cats’ quality of life.
But they deserve it. And the world deserves to know that FIV is not an instant death sentence. And Mama has a new mission: she is going to Be The Change for FIV-positive cats.
JaneA Kelley is a punk rock cat mom and award-winning blogger. She is a regular columnist for Catster Magazine, and she and the Paws and Effect Gang share a home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
I am so happy for you — can’t wait to see what happens next!! It was so much fun hanging out with you at BlogPaws — you are just as wonderful as I thought you’d be!
What a wonderful mission! I’ve been volunteering at a shelter which has a special area for FIV+ cats and would love to educate myself about this condition. Do you have any suggestions?
As usual, your Mama is doing wonderful work in the world! This issue touches my heart deeply, as I lost a beloved feline friend to this insidious disease, back when there were few treatment options. I’ll be watching for my opportunity to support!
What a wonderful cause to inspire your human’s passion to be the change! I know she will help make a big difference in the lives of many, many FIV+ kitties.
I volunteer with the two largest rescues in my area, and am a foster parent to the most wonderful kitty ever… who happens to be FIV+. The shelter was concerned for his well-being, because he couldn’t go out and play with the other cats in the free-run areas, and had to be alone in a cage. They placed him in a foster situation with our cat coordinator, but it was little better than the cage at the shelter, since he was still isolated in a room, away from the other cats in the house, and, more importantly, the people.
I was nervous, at first, as I’m on a fixed income, and could not afford any kind of emergency, but I desperately wanted to help this boy. So, when they told me that, for fosters, they cover all costs, and provide food and litter, I was ecstatic. I’ve now had him for about two years, I think. In that time, I’ve had two inquiries about him (one very recent, so I don’t know the outcome yet), but no takers. This is fine with me. In fact, the rescue doesn’t even actively promote him for adoption at this point–he has a profile posted, as do all the cats, but he doesn’t go to adoption events, and they don’t specifically feature him in advertisements.
This is fine with me. In fact, if I was sure I could handle the vet bills, I’d just adopt him myself. He’s the sweetest, calmest, cutest, most wonderful kitty I’ve met in a long time–and I’ve known a LOT of kitties. He’s extremely healthy, not just for an FIV+ cat, but for a cat period–especially one who spent an unknown amount of time on the streets, fending for himself and (no doubt the source of the virus’ infection) defending against rivals toms, siring who knows how many kittens. Of course, the rescue neutered him ASAP after he came through their doors, and I’m sure he’s much the better for it. IIRC, he had been snagged in one of our TNR cages, but was so tame and affectionate they tagged him for adoption, rather than re-release; especially given his FIV+ status.
I encourage those who are unsure, or who have uncertain situations for whatever reason to look into fostering. The rescue has to pay for the cat’s care either way, but at least this way you’re both getting the love and companionship you need, and there is room for another deserving kitty in need.